April McLean

A journalist from the Nashville Scene described April McLean's music as 'sinewy confessional pop', which speaks to both the vulnerablity and strength found in her melody-driven songs. April's writing draws on influences as diverse as Sarah McLachlan, Carole King and Tori Amos. Her disarmingly transparent lyrics explore themes of insecurity, empowerment and healing. Whether she's singing with her band or alone at the piano, April's moving live performances connect with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
As singer-songwriters were changing the sound of pop music in the mid-seventies, April was teaching herself to play piano and write her own songs. Throughout her childhood and teenage years in rural Virginia, her songwriting became not only a means of self-expression but also a form of therapy amidst a turbulent and unstable home life.
At 19, April's intensely personal yet universally-themed music found an audience at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she won a number of songwriting competitions. After college, April moved to Nashville to hone her skills as a songwriter and as a performer. While developing a local following in Nashville clubs, she garnered a publishing contract with Warner Chappell Music-Los Angeles for two years.
Through various meetings with label exec's concerning her own artistry, one of April's songs was recorded by Susan Ashton on her EMI/Sparrow debut cd 'Wakened By The Wind', produced by Grammy award-winning writer/producer Wayne Kirkpatrick, (songs recorded by Eric Clapton, Faith Hill, Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood).
In 2000, April was asked to record her song 'Inside Out' for a multi-artist album called The Mercy Project which benefits an international agency that helps troubled girls and young women through extreme hardships. Other artists featured on The Mercy Project include Martina McBride, Amy Grant and Donna Summer.
April released her first independent cd, 'Becoming', in 2002 and received glowing reviews from a variety of journalists including AllMusic.com: "An emotional and melodic triumph, 'Becoming' showcases a brilliant artist who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin and Jonatha Brooke." Several cuts from Becoming have been featured on the hit WB show Felicity, including the radio-ready 'Superhero', and were included in the best-selling DVD & Video releases of Felicity's 1st & 2nd seasons.
Currently April is in the studio recording her new cd, 'Darbytown Road', which will include 3 tracks produced by 2004 Grammy winner Richard Marx (*NSync, Luther Vandross, Chely Wright). 'Darbytown Road' is expected to release in the Spring of 2005.